Boatperson and Rowing Coach

Sir William Perkins’s School is a high-performing independent girl’s school for approximately 600 students aged 11 – 18 years. The Head is both a member of HMC and GSA. It was founded in 1725 and is now on an attractive 12 acre site situated on the outskirts of Chertsey, a two minute walk from the railway station and very near to the junction of the M3 and M25. 

The Boathouse on the River Thames at Laleham opened in spring 2016 and we are looking for boatperson to support our growing fleet of boats and equipment. The school has been rowing for 13 years and squad numbers have increased to 120, rowing from J13-J18. Sport plays a very significant role in the life of the School and the department has a very good reputation in the local area. Rowing and PE work closely to allow the students to become the best rowers they can be.  

The senior squad has produced international medalists at a J16 and J18 level and is working hard to continue to be medal contenders at Schools Head and National Schools as well as taking on a new challenge of Henley Royal Regatta. The junior squads, focus on ‘learning to row’ and ‘learning in to train’ with an emphasis on athleticism and good foundations. All squads compete throughout both the head and regatta seasons and have achieved a fantastic level of success to date.  

The successful candidate will enjoy a unique opportunity to develop and maintain the fleet of boats, coordinating and performing boat repairs and maintenance and organising external agencies for any major boat repair work as well as towing to regattas and camps and setting up boats for racing with the assistance of the wider coaching team.  This role may also involve some coaching and therefore the successful candidate will need to be able to demonstrate an ability to deliver structured coaching sessions where all students are learning, developing, being stretched and challenged and having fun. As we work in a small term, the successful candidate will need to be a confident communicator, someone who is approachable, patient and above all passionate about rowing.   

SWPS Boat Club 

The boat club was officially opened in spring 2016 on the banks of the Thames; the rowing teams can now expand their already busy training and racing season. The facility includes: three boat bays where racing and training equipment is stored; a large training room with balcony; and a purpose built floating landing stage to launch crews onto the river   

Sir William Perkins’s School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be expected to complete an enhanced DBS disclosure.  

ABOUT THE SCHOOL:  

Entrance to the School is by competitive examination and the School values its excellent academic reputation. The students are highly motivated and eager to learn. Significant emphasis is also placed on the broad and balanced curriculum, the wide-ranging co-curricular activities and the caring and supportive environment.   

The ISI regulatory compliance inspection in September 2016 recorded that all eight parts of the standard were met and our report in the Good Schools Guide 2016 describes our “Excellent Results achieved with a big dollop of humour, humanity and freedom of thought”.   

Visits to the school are warmly welcomed and encouraged.   

Please see attached Candidate Information Pack for further details.

Applications will be considered on arrival and the school reserves the right to interview before the closing date.